Expansion joint for tiled bathtub recesses



y 1933- w. G. ANDERSON EXPANSION JOINT FOR TILED BATHTUB RECESSES Filed Oct. 6, 1932 v INVENTOR Mllz'am aim/"5on ATTORNEY Patented July, 25, 1933 U iT o STATES PATENT, ore-1oz WILLIAM G. ANDERSON, OFVSPRING LAKE, NEW IERSEY' EXPANSION JorNrron-mILEn B TIEITUB Races sas Application filed October 6,1932. Serial No. 636,473.

This invention relates to a novel construction of expansionjoint for tiled walls around bathtubs and shower bath receptacles, and for tiled surfaces in other locations wherein 5 it is desirable to provide for expansion'andu contraction with a view of eliminating'the opening of cracks or crevices between the tile and adjacent structures' 1 s Heretofore, in connection with installa- 10 tions of bathtubs, shower bath receptacles and other structureswhicli are. abutted by adjacent tile walls, settling of such structures, due to Various causes, has-resulted in opening of cracks and crevices between the structures and the tile courses, with the re- J suit that not onlyis the appearance of the.

installation greatly marred but leakagehof water through such cracksand crevices occurs with-risk of damage to other walls and parts of the building in which the installa tion is made. It is the principal objector this invention to provide'a novel expansion joint between such structures and the surrounding tile walls, whereby the objectionable occurrences above mentioned are avoided, and leak-tight junctures between such structures and walls are established and maintained regardless of the effects of expansion and contraction to which the same may be subjected. 1 i

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel form and construction ofcooperating tile elements adapted to permit of rela-' showing the novel expansion joint structure according to this invention as established be: tween a bathtub and the tile wall of the rece-ss in which said tub is installed;'Fig. 2 is a fragmentary ve'rticalsection of said joint 59 structure drawn on'anenlarged scale; Figs.

to indicate corresponding parts. I

'nally extending hollow ribs 13, which are detailed de the face thereof. Along its upper marginal laterally projecting foot piece or flange 16.

3 and 4 arejrespectively fragmentary perspective views of cooperating metallic expansion joint base plates employedin the omtstructure; and Figs.'5 and 6 are respectlvely perspective views of cooperating tile elements employed in the oint'structure'.

Similar characters of reference are em-- ployed 1n the hereinabove described views,

Referring to said drawing, the reference character 10 indicates the wallfstudding of a bathtub or like recess. Suitably secured to and-across this studding 10 is a horizontal hanger 11. This hanger member 11' usually consists in lengths of two by four joist, but

maybe made of any other material adapted toprovide a supporting ledge upon which the suspension flange of a bathtub or the like may be engaged, as will subsequently more fully appear, If the building wall construction comprises brick or masonry, then saidhanger member 11 is suitablyjsecured directly there- {The reference character 12 indicates .-a lower'joint base plate which is'preferably '75 made of sheet metal of reasonably heavy gauge. Theupstanding ofthis base plate 12 is provided with a plurality'of out-- l wardly pressed, horizontal and longitudivert-ically spaced one from another; A plurality of longitudinally spaced openings or perforations 14' are provided in the faces of said ribs 13. It will thus be obvious that the bodyof said base plate 12' is of corrugate form whereby it is strengthened or stiffened against distortion, while at the same time it is of such face contour as to firmly interlock with plaster, when the latter is applied over 90 portion, saidbase plate 12 provides an expansion joint tongue 15. Along itslowe'r marginal portion, said base platel2 is provided with a longitudinally extending and- The reference character 17 -"indicates an upper joint base plate whichis also pref erably- 'made of sheet metal of; reasonably heavy gauge. Along its lower marginalportion, said base'plate '17 is provided with an outwardly off-set flange or skirt 18 to form behind the same a joint socket 19.

In the erection of the joint structure, said lower joint base plate 12 is applied against and across the studding 10, or other partition or wall construction, to project above the hanger member 11, with the foot piece or flange 16 overlying the ledge top provided by the latter. Said lower joint base plate 12 is not secured to the studding 10 or other partition or wall structure, and consequently is free for vertical movement thereupon and relative thereto. The upper joint base plate 17 is also applied against and across the studding 10, with its off-set flange or skirt 18 overlapping the joint tongue 15 of the lower base plate 12, whereby the latter is disposed within the joint socket 19 formed between said off-set flange or skirt 18 and the faces of the studding 10 or other partition or wall construction, and so as to be capable of vertical movement or play therein. .Said upper base plate 17 is suitably secured to the studding 10 or other partition or wall construction by nailing the same thereto with nails 20 or by any other suitable form of fastening means. Applied and secured to and across the studding 10 or other partition or wall construction above the upper base plate 17 is any suitable form of lathing to provide a foundation for wall plaster. Preferably said lathing comprises metal lath sheets 21, arranged to overlap the upper marginal portion of the upper base plate 17, so as to be secured therewith to the studding 10 or other wall construction by the fastening nails 20 or the like.

After the base plates 12 and 17 and lathing 21 have been erected as above described, a scratch coat body or layer of cement or wall plaster 22 is exteriorly applied thereover to extend down to the foot piece or flange 16 of said lower base plate 12. This cement or plaster scratch coat 22 will securely bond itself to said lower base plate 12'b0th by the imbedment therein of the ribs 13 of the latter, as well as by the projection of portions of the cement or plaster through the openings or perforations 14 with which said ribs 13 are provided. i

After the cement or pla ter scratch coat 22 is furnished the bathtub or equivalent device or receptacle is set in place preparatory to facin the adjacent wall with tile. In the drawing, the reference character 23 indicates a bathtub of familiar type, having at its wall abutting margins a free horizontal lip or suspension flange 24 which is engaged upon the hanger member 11 for support at such wall abutting margins thereof. Said suspension flange 24, as thus mounted upon the hanger member 11, is also engaged upon the foot piece or flange 16 of saidlower base plate'12 so as to bear thereon, whereby any downward movement of the bathtub 23, due to settling,

expansion and contraction of adjacent floor or wall construction, sagging of hanger member, or to other causes, is transmitted to said lower base plate 12, whereby the latter will move with the tub. With the tub thus hung the apron 23 at its outer or exposed sidewill rest upon the floor of the building in the customary manner.

After the tub 23 has been installed as above indicated, the adjacent walls are ready to be tiled. To form an essential part of the expansion joint structure according to this invention, I provide cooperating bottom courses of joint tile comprising tile elements of novel form and structure, adapted for relative movement without separation or the opening of cracks, crevices or seams therebetween. These tile elements comprise a bottom course tile 25provided along its upper portion with an inwardly inclined face 26 to form a tapered or, beveled upper marginal edge furnishing a male slip jo.. .nt portion 27, and a second course tile 28 provided along its lower marginal portion at the back thereof with a female slip joint recess 29 defined by an overhang or depending flange or lip 30 along the front face of thetilebody. The

tiles 25 and 28, as well as the ordinary tile.

31 employed the tile courses above the same, may be of an desired size, color or face surface finish, anl the same may have sharp peripheral edges or edges of rounded contour provided in the so called cushion-edge tile, the latter being preferable.

Preparatory to the application of the tile to the wall a tile bed coat of cement is either buttered upon the back of the tile to adhere the same to the scratch coat 22, or such tile bed coat is floated upon the latter accordiug to the preferred practice of the tile setter. The bottom course tiles 25 are set in and adhered to thewall by a section 32 of tile bed coat cement. Said bottom course tiles 25 are arranged with'their lower margins abutting the suspension flange 2d of the tub 23, and with their tapered or beveled marginal edge portions, which form the slip joint portions 2?, upwardly directed.

Before applying the second course tiles 28, the tile bed coat of cement, if already floated on the scratch coat 22, is chipped or cut.

This line or mass of lime putty 33 is of a frangible character, and, when disposed as above indicated, lies between the slip joint 7 courses of tile and the expansion joint pro- VlClLLl between said upper and lower joint base plates l'(12, whereby when relative 3234 of the tilebed coat a strip or strips of paper or other suitable material adapted to prevent a bond sections. e e p e r v After provision of the break joint-constibetween said tile bed coat tuted by the mass of lime putty 33-,'paper,

or other suitable material is made, the sec.-' ond course of joint tiles 28 is applied to the wall above the bottom course of joint tile's' 25in suchmannerthat male slip joint portions 27 of the latter are. engaged'or received Within the female slip joint recesses of the former.

appliedto the wall-,the' remaining courses of ordinary tile 31 are thereupon putin place.

In the operation of the novel joint struc-= ture, in the event of settling of the tub .23

from any cause, such as ordinarily operates to separate the same from the-tiles of the wall soas. to open up a crack or crevice between I p .made in: the .abovefde'scribed constructions the suspension fiange24 of the tub andthe tile, the lower" or first course of jointtiles 25'will move with thetub andrelative' to the second course .of joint tiles 28, whereby the slip joint portions 27"of the former will move in slip joint recesses 29 of thejlatte fls without theopening up "ordisclosure of any intervening crack or. crevice. Upon such occurrence, owing to theeprovision of the frangible material, such as lime putty 33, F or non-bonding material, such as paper, he

tween theklower section 32a'ndupper section .34 of'the tile bed vcoatgsai'd lower section and the lower joint tiles 25 connected therewith, are free to moverdownward. In addition to this, since'thezlowerjoint base plate 12 is also free to move downward, under the downward pressure exerted by the suspension flange 24 of the tub upon "its foot piece or flange 16, and since said base plate 12 is I the break within the wall interior, so that interlocked to the contiguous portion of the scratch coat 22 by the ribs 13, itfollows that the stresses and strains of-allthese downwarclly moving parts is concentrated on a point or line X of said scratch coat 22 which lies. between the slip joint of thecooperating base plates 1217 and the slip joint of the courses of joint tiles 25-28 By reason I vof this said scratch coat 22 will partlor fracture at said point or line'X, thus confining the same is invisible and inaccessible towater'withresultant.leakage'.- It will be obvious that, upon parting of the scratchtcoat 22, the downward movement of the base plate 12, in company with the tub, will be also accompanied by like downward movement;

i of the severed. lower portion ofthe scratch xcoat'which is interlocked thereto, which in The jointtile courses having beenshall be interpreted as illustrative in a limiting sense.

turn will carry 'down thfe lower section of the tile bed coat 32 and the lower course of joint tiles 25 adhered tothe latter, allwhereby said lower courseof joint tiles25partakes of themovement of the tub without. any sep-,

aration of their lower edges from tight abutting relation to the upper surface of the tub suspension flange 24, and consequently} no external. cracks-"or crevices are exposed around the tub, and no leakage of waterint that the novel joint structuremay be carried around both the sideand one or'more endvwalls' of a-tuh recess; audit will also be obvious-that the joint structure may be utilized inconnec tionwit'h shower bathreceptacles, or in any 7 1 other 'connecti'ouwhercin it is desired to prevent separation of installed structures'eof l various kinds from adjacent orcontiguous- V tiledsurfaces. Y Y- a lam aware that various changes maybe and that many seemingly widely different";

embodiments of this ,inVention cOuld" be madewithoutdeparting 'from' the scope thereof; it'is therefore intended'thatall matter contained in the above description; and shown in the accompanying drawing and not V I claim L In as joint structure for the purposes memberaflixed to a wall core and'an installed structure to besupported by saidhanger.

1 described, thecombina'tiodwith a hanger member, of a'lpair of'cooperating joint plates overlying saidwall core, one of which is' con- ;;tiguous.to said hanger member and vertically movable withesaid installed structure relative to the other, a plaster scratch coat ,over-.

lying said: wall core and said jointplates and bonded to the movable joint plate, a tile bed coat bondedto' saidscratch' coat, and

cooperatingcourses of joint tiles, the lower course of'which is contiguous to the installed structure 4 and telescopically and vertically V movable relative toxthe adjacent course upon- T parting of said scratch coat andltil-e bed coat at apoint between said joint plates and said courses: of joint'tilesQ 2. In "a oint structure for the member, of a lower joint platemovably over- 12 I p purposes de-i v scribed,the'combination witha hangermeme ber aflixedlto a wall core 'andean installed structure tobesupportedmby said-h a g 1 z5 elements, a plaster scratch coat affixed to said joint elements, a plaster scratch coat overlying and affixed to said wall core and bonded to said lower joint plate, a tile bedcoat bonded to said scratch coat, and co operating courses of joint tiles adhered to said bed coat, the lower course ,of which is contiguous to the installed'structure and telescopically and vertically movable relative to the adjacent course upon partingof said scratch coat and tile bed coat at a point between said joint plates and said courses of joint tiles.

3. In a oint structure for the purposes described, the combination with a hanger member affixed to a wall core and an installed structure to be supported by said hanger member, of a lower joint plate movably overlying said wall core and having a foot piece engaged between said hanger member and said installed structure, an upper joint plate aflixed to saidwall core, sa1d oint plates havber affixed to a wall core and an installed structure to be supported by said hanger member, of a lower joint plate movably overlying said wall core and having a foot piece engaged between said hanger member and said installed structure, an upper joint plate aliiXed'to said wall'core, said joint plates having'cooperative male and female slip joint wall core and extending over said joint plates,

. said lower joint plate having longitudinal ribs with whichthe contiguous portion of said scratch coat interlocks, a tile bed coat bonded to said scratch coat, and cooperating courses of joint tiles adhered to said bed coat contiguous to said installed structure,

said joint tiles having cooperative male and femaleslip j oint elements.

'5. y In a joint structure for the purposes described, the combination with a hanger member affixed to a wall core and an installed structure to be supported by said hanger member, of a lower joint plate movably overlying said wall core and having a foot piece engaged between said hanger member and said installed structure, an upper JOlIllZPliLtG affixed to said wall core, said joint plates having cooperative male and female slip joint elements, a plaster scratch coat affixed to said wall core and extending over saidj oint plates, said lower joint plate having longitudinal ribs'with which the contiguous portion of said scratch coat interlocks, a tile bed coat I oint structure for the purposes de-- scribed, the combination with a hanger membonded to said scratch coat, cooperating courses of joint tile adhered to said bed coat contiguous to said installed structure,said joint tiles having cooperative male and female slip joint elements, means intermediate the locations of said slip joint elements of said joint plates and said joint tiles to divide said bed coatto provide a section movable with said lower joint plate and lower courseof joint tile and at the same time localize parting of said scratch coat at a point adjacent said slip joint elements of said joint plates. 7

6. In a joint structure for the purposes described and as defined in claim 4, wherein said lower joint plate is provided-in its ribbed body with a multiplicity of perforations to further assure interlocking of said scratch coat thereto.

7. In a oint structure for the purposes described and as defined in claim 5, wherein said lower joint plate is provided in its ribbed body with ainultiplicity of perforations to furtherassure interlocking of said scratch coat thereto. j

8. In a joint structure for the purposes described, tae combination with a hanger men ber allixed to a wall core and aninstalled structure to be supported by said hanger member, of a pair of cooperating joint plates overlying said wallcore, one of, which is contiguous to said hanger member and vertically movable with said installed structure relative to the other, a plaster scratch coat overlying said wall core and said joint plates and bonded to the movable joint plate, a tile bed coat bonded to saidscratcli coat, cooperat-= ing lower and upper courses of joint tiles adhered to said bed coat contiguous tosaid installed structure, said oint tiles having cooperative male and female slip joint elements whereby the lower of said courses is movable relative to the upper course thereof, and

means to divide said bed coat to provide a sect1on thereof movable with said movable joint plate and. movable oint tile, thereby-localizing the parting of said scratch coat above said parts under the stress ofsuch movement.

9. In a joint structure for the purposesdescribed, the combination with a hanger'inember affixed to a wall core and an installed structure to be support d by said hanger member,of a pair ofcooperating oint plates overlying said wall core, one of which is contiguous to said hanger member and ver tically movable with said installed structure relative-to the other, overlying said wall core and sa1d Joint plates and bonded to the movable oint plate, a tile 1 installed structure, the tiles of said lower course having inwardly beveled upper niarginal portions to' form male slip joint elea plaster scratch coat ments,: andl thetiles lot (said uppercourse plane of the exterior ffaccsoii the tile to overhang saidmale sllp ointielements;

havinginwardly recessed portions" at their lower rear side marglns torecelve said male slip joint elements, said recessed portions be" ing bounded by depending "flanges in the l0; In-ajoint structure for the purposes described, thecombination with a hanger memberatfixedtofaiwallcore and an installed 7 structure to besupported by said changer contiguousto said hanger member and ver-' tically movable with: said installed sit-rue l 'having perforate longitudinal ribs with member, of a pair of cooperating joint plates overlying said wall core, one of which is ture'relative to the other, a plaster scratch coat overlying saidwall core and saidjoin't plates and bonded to the movable joint plate," a'tile bed, coat bonded to said scratch coat,"

cooperating lower and upper courses ofjoint tlles'adhered to said bed coat contiguous to said installed structure, 'the tiles of 'said lower course havinginwardly beveled upper over said joint plates ,-said lower joint plate marginal portions to form male slip joint elements, the tiles of said-upper course havinginwardly recessed portions at their lower rear side margins to rece'ive said male slip"- joint elements, said recessed portions being bounded by depending flanges in the plane of theexteriorfaces of the tile to overhang said ma e slip joint elements, and means to divide said bed coat'to provide a sectlon thereof movable with said -movable oint plate andsaid lower course of joint tile, thereby localizing the parting of said scratch coat above said parts under the stress of such movement. I i

In a oint structure for the purposes described, the combination with a hanger" member aifixed to a. wall core and an inmale slip joint elements, a plaster scratch coat affixed tosaid wall core. and extending having perforate longitudinal ribs with said scratch coat,'cooperating lower andupper courses of joint tiles adhered to said bed coat contiguous to the installed struc'-' ture, the tiles of said lower; course having inwardly beveled upper marginal "portions;-

tiles of said upper course havingflrecessed/ portions at their lower rear side margins to form, ma-leslip joint elements", and the to receive said male slip joint elements, said recessed portions being bounded by depend- ;ing flanges in the plane of the exterior faces 'of the tile. to overhang Said ,m v ip joint elements. I v v '12. In ajointystructureforthe purposes described, the combination with a hanger member aflixed to a wall core and an in- V,

stalled structure to be supported 3 by said hanger member, ofa lower joint plate movablyoverlying said wall core and having a foot piece engaged between said hanger member andsaidinstalled structure, an upper'" joint plate aifixed to said wall core, said:

joint plates having cooperative male and femalegslip joint elements, a plaster scratch f coatafiixed to said wallicoreand extending ovcr said joint plates, said lower joint plate which the contiguous portion of said scratch coat interlocks, a- -:-tile bed coat bonded to said scratch coat, cooperating lower and upper courses of joint tiles adhered tosaid bed;

coat contiguous to the installed structure,"

the til'es of said lower course having inwardlybeveleduppermarginal portions to form mal'e slipjoint elements, the tiles of said upplane of the exterior'taces-of the tile to over- '1" hang male slip joint elements, and means to divide said bed'coat to provide a i section thereof movable with said movable I joint plate and said lower course of joint I tile, thereby localizing the parting of said scratchcoat above said parts under the stress of-"such'movement.

13Q In a joint structure for the purposes described,.the combination with a support on a wall for a structure to be installed, a

pair of joint plates related to said'wall, comprising a" lower movable joint plate havingat its, lower margin-.fmeans engageable with the installed structure'whereby settling movement of the latter is imparted to said lower plate, an upper joint plate adapted to be fixed relative to said movable plate, said .joint plates having cooperative slip-joint tiles, the-lower course of said tiles being contiguous to theinstalled structure andbeing' bonded to said movable joint plate, the upper .7 't'l b' b ddt "'dfi d which the cont-iguous port on of said scratch Course of sald 1 es emo. on e 0 Sal Xe coat interlocks, a tile bed coat bonded to' joint plate, and. said tiles of the lower and upper courses respectively having cooperating male and femaleslip-j oint portions.

portions, and cooperating courses of joint 14. In an expansionjoint structure of the kind described for a structure tobeinstalled, a pair of sheet metal j oint plates, comprising 7 a. lower movable joint plate having at its lower portion means engageable with the installed structure whereby settling movement of the latter is imparted to said plate, an upper joint plateadapt-ed to be fixed relative tosaid movable plate, and said joint plates having cooperative slip joint portions.

fat

15. In an expansion joint structure of the kind described for a structure to be installed, a pair of sheet metal joint plates, comprising a lower movable joint plate having at its lower portion a laterally projecting footpiece engageable with the installed structure whereby settling movement of the latter is imparted to said plate, said lower joint plate having meansprojecting from a face thereof to interlock with plastic coating material applied over such face, an upper joint plate adapted to be fixed relative to said movable plate, and saidjoint plates having cooperative male and female slip joint portions.

16. In an expansion joint structure of the kind described for a structure to be installed, apair of sheet metal Oint plates, comprising a lower movable joint plate having at its lower portion. a laterally projecting foot-piece engageable with the installed structure whereby settling movement of the latter is imparted to said plate, said lower joint plate having a plurality of Vertically spaced outwardly pressed perforate hollow ribs between its upper and lower margins, an upper joint plate adapted to be fixed relative to said movable plate, the upper marginal portion of said lower joint plate having a male slip joint element, and the lower marginal portion of said upper jointplate having an outwardly off-set portion to provide a female slip joint element to receive said male slip joint element of said lower joint plate.

17. In an expansion joint structure of the kind described including fixed parts and movable parts, cooperating joint tiles, comprising a lower tile for connection with movtile for connection with fixed parts of the joint structure, said lower tile having an inwardly beveled upper marginal portion extending from its outer face to forma male.

slip joint element, and said upper tile having an inwardly recessed portion at its lower rear side margin, said recessed portion being bounded by a depending flange in the Plane of its outer face and adapted to overhang said slip joint element of said lower tile when the latter is engaged in said recessed portion.

WILLIAM G. ANDERSON.

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